Fall is one of our favorite times of year: Between the scorching heat of summer (especially this year) and the biting cold of winter (fingers crossed we’re in for a mild one), we usually get a window of absolutely perfect weather. And in addition to patio dinners and nightcaps under the stars—not to mention football season!—the pleasant temperatures and sunny skies mean a lot of people are tackling projects around the house before things take a turn.
That’s where we come in. At Patriot, we are your trusted partner on projects big and small, whether it’s getting power to your man cave, adding AC to the she-shed, putting a new heating and cooling system in before winter, or anything else. (And if you’re looking to have that system installed before Sept. 30, be sure to check out our Repair Buy-Back offer.)
So what’s on your fall to-do list? Here are a few ideas that are popular with customers—and a couple that aren’t exactly favorites, to be honest, but are important nonetheless.
Patio heaters
While the weather is usually great this time of year, when the sun goes down the evening air can still have a bit of a bite. But with built-in heaters outside, it’s easy to extend your nights on the patio—without dragging out the blankets, worrying about running out of propane, or smoking out the neighbors with that fire pit. They’re easy enough to install yourself, but unless you want to run extension cords to your existing outlets (hint: you don’t), it’s best to have us install convenient outlets right under your eaves.
Those have other benefits, too, particularly when it’s time to put up holiday lights: No more cords running all over the place, because you’ve got outlets right where you need them.
Gutter cables
Speaking of outlets under the eaves, we install them for gutter cables as well. Why would you want gutter cables? Well, when the weather does turn, and snow and ice become the norm, these simple heated cables can prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. That’s important because ice dams can cause water to seep through the roof and do damage inside; they also can clog downspouts and weigh down gutters to the point where they tear away from your home.
Smart thermostats
There’s a reason smart thermostats are so popular these days—they make it so much easier to program your heating and cooling, which means you can use your system more efficiently. Headed away for a weekend? In seconds, you can set the heat to come on a few hours before you return. You don’t even have to do it before you leave, because most allow you to control things from your phone. These are pretty easy for do-it-yourselfers to install, but we’ve done plenty of them for customers. We’re happy to help you get set up.
System winterizing
If you have a heat pump or outdoor AC unit, cleaning it before the rain and snow arrive is a good idea. A lot of dirt and debris can get in there during spring and summer; weeds and other plants might have grown close to the unit, too. So trim those back, and give the unit a rinse with the hose to clear any dust. You might consider purchasing a cover as well, to keep all that stuff from getting in there in the first place. This is also the ideal time to have a maintenance check-up from one of our professionals. We’ll make sure everything is ready to go for when you need to turn off the AC and turn up the heat.
Change your filters
If you think we sound like a broken record here, that’s good—because it means you remember that several of our posts over the last year have talked about how important it is to change your filters. (Thanks for reading, by the way.) Simply put, changing your filters regularly is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your system running efficiently, which means it’s one of the easiest ways to save money on your heating and cooling bills. It’s also one of the easiest things to forget, though, which is why we’re going to keep reminding you.
Ready to start your fall project?
Whether you’re inspired to do something on our list or you’ve got your own plans, we’re ready to help. Call us at 509-662-6262 to take advantage of this pre-winter window and give your home a hug!